Elite group's motto: Be ready
By Gary Evans -- Furniture Today, March 13, 2005
Sao Paulo, Brazil — ABIMAD, the high-end Brazilian furniture association, has formed an invitation-only consortium of manufacturers aimed at manufacturing and marketing furniture in the United States and Canada.
Julio Negri, general manager of the consortium — called Ineo, which means "start" in Portuguese — said the group has eight member companies, with more to be added. He said 25 manufacturers applied for membership but only five met the requirements.
"We did a selection of the most prepared and interested in exporting. We understand that you have to be prepared because if you aren't, you're going to get into trouble," Negri said.
The consortium was formed to address complaints that the Brazilian approach to selling furniture in the United States was haphazard, unsophisticated and even sometimes unreliable. Ineo, now forming a professional support staff, will help members with product design, marketing, logistics and financing, and will help link Brazilian companies with U.S. partners.
Each participating company has a different product specialty. Not yet represented is bedding.
Negri said consortium members will stick to contemporary styles.
"That niche in the U.S. comes mainly from Italy," he said. "We understand the price is getting higher so we are quite sure we can compete because we are very good at modern. That's the niche we want to operate in and the collections we want to develop."
Also forming is a separate consortium to cultivate business in Latin America. Long term, ABIMAD plans consortiums for Europe, Africa, the Middle East and Australia.
To join Ineo, manufacturers must have the "culture" and business plan to export, Negri said. He also said it is "very important" that members be recognized in the domestic market for quality. In addition, Ineo wants companies that will maintain export stability, rather than dropping foreign sales when the Brazilian market heats up.
After the consortiums are formed and operating, ABIMAD expects them to be self-supporting.
"We prefer to grow slowly, and to grow strong. I could have more than 20 companies inside the consortium," Nigra said. "It doesn't matter. What matters is we need to have the best we can."
-
Natuzzi's bold plan
Jan 4, 2009 -
Brazil's high end eyes bigger slice of U.S. pie
Mar 27, 2005 -
Strong currency a pain for Brazil
Apr 2, 2006 -
Strong currency a pain for Brazil
Mar 20, 2006
Featured Company
-
Wright Labels
Bill and Tom Wright founded Wright of Thomasville in 1961 on the idea that printing was a creative medium and the belief that "a promise made is a promise kept." The Wright brothers focused their attention on providing exceptional printing for the... more
VIEW ALL GALLERIES
